By Michael Bascombe
AKRON, Ohio,
February 15, 2012
- A Grenadian jumper is aiming to qualify to represent this country in
international competitions including the Olympic Games in London this summer.
Daryl Baptiste, the grandson of former
sportsman and cultural icon, Theophilus “Pappitette” Redhead, is attempting to
meet the qualifying standard required in the long jump to be considered for
national selection.
Baptiste, a junior at the University of
Akron in Ohio, has competed in three meets so far this season and recorded his
best indoor mark of 7.36 metres at the Akron Invitational at Stile Field House
last weekend.
“I will be competing again next weekend
and I will be trying to qualify for the NCAAs (National Collegiate Athletic
Association),” said 20 year-old Baptiste. “My aim is also to break the
Grenadian national record in the long jump”.
Last season he had a best of 7.50m in the
indoor competition and will attempt to better that mark at the Mid-American
Conference in Akron, February 24-25.
The national indoor mark in the long jump
is 7.69m held by Keron Francis while Eugene Licorish’s 23 year-old record of
8.09m still stands in the outdoor version.
Baptiste has been in contact with
officials of the Grenada Athletic Association regarding qualification and his eligibility
to compete.
3 comments:
Congratulations and best wishes to Baptiste. I remember his grandfather well. I "kept wicket" while he intimidated batsmen with his fast bowling. His prolific scoring as a batsman for Atoms would be a treasure for 20/20 cricket today.
Baptiste has inherited good genes.
John George
Washington, DC
Thank you for such a wonderful comment John.. I miss my grand father and he is smiling in heaven watching his grand son work so hard to qualify for the Olympics. His father side of the family is also great track and field Athletes, the Baptiste family from Tempe. We are all so proud of Daryl. Once again thank you for sharing that special memory.
Lots of luck.
Seems like a worthy candidate!
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